Writing Free Verse
- Richelle Putnam
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
Writing Free Verse Poetry
Free verse is poetry without the constraints of meter or rhyme, but that doesn’t mean it lacks structure, discipline, or music. Free verse demands more from the poet: sharp images, emotional honesty, and a keen ear for the rhythm of language. When done well, it sings.
Writing Prompts + Examples
Prompt 1: Write about a moment of silence. Example: The kitchen clock / forgets to tick / for a breath / and suddenly / I hear the weight / of the moon / in the sink.
Prompt 2: Begin with "I never told you..." Example: I never told you / that the dog knew / before we did / pacing like a priest / before the diagnosis.
Prompt 3: Describe something without naming it. Example: Rust-red / and stubborn / it grows through fences / and always / toward the sun.
Prompt 4: Use a single sense (touch, smell, sound, etc.). Example: My grandmother's hands / smelled like / tomato vines / and bleach / and July.
Five Dos of Free Verse
Do use line breaks for impact.
Break at moments of surprise, emphasis, or contrast.
Do write with a clear image or emotional core.
Free verse isn’t a license to ramble. Ground your poem in something tangible.
Do read it out loud.
Rhythm lives in the voice; if it stumbles, revise.
Do revise ruthlessly.
Even the most unstructured poem benefits from tightening.
Do study poets who master the form.
Read Ross Gay, Ada Limón, Mary Oliver, Carl Phillips.
Five Don'ts of Free Verse
Don't ignore rhythm.
Just because you’re not rhyming doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have cadence.
Don't rely on abstraction.
Show, don’t tell. Let the image carry the feeling.
Don't overwrite.
Free verse thrives on concision. More isn't better.
Don't forget structure.
Even "free" poems need internal logic, shape, and flow.
Don't imitate social media trends.
If you're writing for craft, don’t chase aesthetics. Chase honesty.
Learn More: Recommended Resources
Academy of American Poets – Articles, prompts, and audio from living poets.
The Poetry Foundation – Essays and readings on free verse and poetic forms.
The Paris Review - Poetry Interviews Archive – Insight from contemporary free verse poets.
A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver – With lessons on sound, line (length, meter, breaks), poetic forms (and lack thereof), tone, imagery, and revision.
Final Thought
Free verse is freedom with responsibility. You’re the architect of the line, so build something that holds.
Let the structure be invisible. Let the poem be unforgettable.
Want to share your free verse or get featured on our blog? Please email us at mississippiwritersguild@gmail.com!
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